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It emerged that Miss Banks had earlier been seen at Tunbridge Wells Hospital but was sent away as she was not in labour and contractions had not started.

Ms Banks was appropriately assessed at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, was not in labour and no contractions had started.

As is standard practice, she was told to return home and re-attend the hospital once labour had begun. We would always encourage women to return to their home and not to travel further afield than is strictly necessary.

The trust is pleased that a member of its staff, who was in the vicinity at the time, safely delivered baby Phoebe and we would like to pass on our congratulations to the couple.

A baby girl has been born on a train packed full of commuters. The Southeastern train was delayed at West Malling in Kent while the infant was delivered on board the 18:18 London Victoria to Maidstone East service.

A spokesman for the company said he did not know who helped deliver the child.He said: "The baby is doing OK and has been named Phoebe. The normal protocol for a medical emergency is for the conductor to administer first aid but it is likely he would have had to put a message out to ask for help."

Passengers took to Twitter to offer congratulations. @thumper--1111, said: "Baby girl just been born on 18:18 Victoria to ashford at west malling. marvelous grats to parents hope all well."But another commuter said: "That's the first good excuse Southeastern have come up with for a delayed train."